Dr Samantha Butler-Davies MRCVS, Head of Clinical Services at Pets at Home, said: “Pets at Home and Vets for Pets welcome today's EFRA Committee report on Pet welfare and abuse and we strongly support the recommendations to tackle unlicensed and irresponsible breeding practices of dogs and cats. 

“Robust education resources for prospective pet owners, to help them make welfare-first decisions, is paramount.  As we advised when providing expert evidence to the Committee, our veterinary colleagues and partners see the impact of unlicensed fertility clinics as well as legal loopholes which allow importations of cats and dogs that have suffered cosmetic mutilations - such as cropped ears and claw removal - every day in their practices and more support must be made available.

“We are also supportive of the recommendations to reform the Veterinary Surgeons Act. This law was passed in the 1960s and needs modernisation. For the sake of pets up and down the country, we hope the Government considers these proposed reforms with a matter of urgency.”